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Northside Elementary unveils house system pilot to boost belonging, attendance
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Summary
Principal Behe and Northside staff described a Ron Clark Academy–inspired house system — four mixed-age houses, random student assignment and staff mentors — planned for a full launch in 2026–27 to strengthen belonging, align with PBIS and reduce disciplinary referrals.
Principal Behe told the Colleton County School District board that Northside Elementary is piloting a house system it developed after staff training at the Ron Clark Academy, and aims to fully implement the model in the 2026–27 school year. "When students feel a sense of belonging in our school, it affects every aspect of the school building," Principal Behe said, linking the plan to attendance, behavior and academic outcomes.
The proposed model assigns every student, staff member and support employee to one of four houses (named in the presentation as Bravacu, Makana, Solara and Tidrus). The school will sort students randomly into houses, appoint staff mentors, hold monthly house meetings and award house and individual points tied to PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) and MTSS practices. Presenters said the design intentionally mixes grade levels so older students mentor younger ones and to broaden student peer networks.
Presenters said the idea emerged from school climate data gathered in surveys: "29% of my students agreed" with the statement that students from different backgrounds get along well, with another portion answering "mostly agreed," which staff cited as a reason to pursue greater peer cohesion. Staff who attended Ron Clark Academy training in June and January described adaptations to fit Northside, including a kickoff event, a monthly house meeting day and low-cost celebrations for house achievements.
Success metrics will include surveys of staff and students, behavior and attendance data, observations of student engagement and parental-involvement measures at house-sponsored events, according to the presentation. Board members asked about logistics (house celebrations and field trips) and were told that many rewards will emphasize collective recognition rather than zero-sum competition.
The presentation concluded with the administration asking the board to monitor implementation and provide guidance as needed; no formal board action on the program was taken at the meeting. The first public update on program progress and related data was scheduled as the school moves toward pilot activities in spring and sets the full launch for the 2026–27 school year.
